Michael Smith

How are these animals doing in Texas? Do we even know? The state lists 17 amphibians and 25 reptiles as threatened or endangered, and the real number of species in decline should be considered much bigger. Other species are widely believed to be in trouble but are not listed, such as box turtles. Michael Smith, a retired psychological associate with lifelong expertise in nature, details how the reptile and amphibian (herp) landscape has changed over the years, why we might not notice the losses, and what stokes our sense of protectiveness — or not. Meeting participants also will get to know naturalists and biologists who are working to save animals like the Texas Horned Lizard and the Louisiana Pine Snake, and what citizens can do to help. Smith expresses a passion for herpetology, ecotherapy, and being aware in nature. He has written three books, two of them on herpetology and natural history and the third on the importance of being mindful in natural places throughout the state. He also writes at Our Lives in Nature* and for Green Source DFW *In his presentation, Michael showed herp information sheets that are available for downloading from this website.